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Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Pink Portrait in 4 Ply Silk

Have you ever used 4 ply silk? If not, don't start now. It creates a very expensive addiction.I decided I could use some more basic blouses, and the portrait-neckline blouse from Vogue's New Book for Better Sewing fit the bill. I had already made it in a somewhat casual linen eyelet, and thought it would be fun to try in a dressier fabric. Since it only requires one yard, I decided to splurge on a 4 ply silk from Mood. Here's another picture where you can more clearly see the released darts on the blouse:

This fabric is, in a word, amazing. It has a really nice, substantial drape. It's opaque, even in light colors. It tailors beautifully. It's even fun to cut into.

Now that I've gotten a taste of it, I can't stop thinking of all the other things I'd like to make in 4 ply silk. I suppose that of all the things to be addicted to, it could be worse--right?

I took a dressmaking class last year with a wonderful teacher who was such an enabler when it came to expensive fabric. He talked me into buying this gorgeous red double wool crepe at $25 a yard. It was Italian. I had never spent that much on fabric. Now, I bought it to make a sheath dress that only required two yards. My teacher's reasoning was that if one were to buy a dress made out of fabric of that quality it would cost over $300, not $50. Sure enough, that red dress turned out beautifully. I have worn it more times than I can count, making it worth every penny.

Now, let's hear from you. How much will you spend on a really high quality fabric? What fabrics do you think are worth it?

17 comments:

I have never sewn on 4 ply but dream of it. The pink is so lovely on you. And I think, the blouse being one yard makes makes it money well spent!Since I stay home with the kids right now, I don't like to spend too much on my everyday stuff. I did spend $25. yd on a wonderful pink/cream tweed for a winter coat last year, and about the same for the lining! It was money well worth it. I guess, I would try not to go over $25.yd, and only for one of the kind, dressier items. I have a big wedding in 6 mos.and will spend for the dress! It is just hard to go back to the $2.99/yd afterwards!

I confess to buying european knits ($20-25 yd), and japanese prints (up to $18 yd) but only on occasion. And mostly for the kid's dresses since I need so little. I agree totally though, if you get really good fabric, you will get so much more use out of the garment -- and I've found it's worth it for kid's clothes as they hold up so much longer!

Beautiful top! Love teh lines on that pattern - I will be keeping my eyes open for a copy.

I try to only sew on quality fabric - I figure my sewing time is worth more than the garbage fabric offered on most $2/m tables. Besides, as you have found, good fabric sews up nicely, presses easier, looks better and lasts longer. I have spent up to $90/m on good cashmere and I could see spending more if the fabric called my name. Typically I spend between $10-30/m and I don't regret a penny of it!

4 ply silk is my absolute hands down favorite. My wedding dress was made in an Italian 4 ply silk charmeuse and it remains the most beautiful thing I've ever made. Your blouse is gorgeous, that pink is one of my favorite colors!

So incredibly beautiful! I will spend every last penny on wools and silks because I feel as though those are an investment, but I'm a bit cheaper with my cottons (and while I love the feel of the double gauze, I find it is so clingy in a dress that I can't fall in love with it yet).

Thanks, all! I agree that with wool and silk especially, there is such a difference in quality between the various price ranges.

Rachel, I got the silk at Mood in New York. They have it in a rainbow of colors for $25/yard. This is actually a great price--I've seen it at B&J for upwards of $100 a yard!

Sarai, I want to see pictures of your wedding dress!

Paulina, I used a vintage pattern to make the blouse so it's not really something I could do a tutorial for. It's Vogue 7630, and it's very simple to make. I've seen a couple copies around for sale--keep your eye out!

I'm coming way way way late to the party but I just wanted to say that another name for 4-ply silk is "4-ply crepe" or "silk faille", and Dharma Trading Co sells it, undyed, for about $17/yd. (If you haven't heard of them, they are a huge warehouse full of primarily tie-dying and textile art supplies, but they sell a wide variety of ready-to-dye fabrics, paints, and all kinds of dyes and textile-processing chemicals, for fantastic prices. Their descriptions and reviews are also very honest so it's easy to tell whether something will work for you or not.I can't read a pattern to save my life but the detailed pictures you post have been so helpful to me in figuring out how to make myself clothing-- I have an impossible-to-fit figure (32JJ with tiny shoulders/ribcage and a big ol' belly/hips = I look FANTASTIC in retro fashions and like absolute dog crap in anything ready-to-wear) and learning to sew has saved my self-esteem entirely. So thank you for being awesome on the Internet.